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Why brick&batten

AI can generate a picture. We design a plan you can actually build.

AI exterior design tools are fast and cheap. But speed and cost don't matter if the result can't be built, the colors don't match, or the products don't exist. Here's what sets professional exterior design apart.

The real difference between AI and professional design

See how our professional design service compares.

brick&batten AI Design Tools
Real designers with taste, experience, and architectural knowledge
Algorithm-generated concepts with no design judgment
Respects your home's architectural constraints; nothing impossible is suggested
May resize doors, move windows, or alter what's physically impossible
Products selected for your budget that you can actually buy
Generated products that may not exist or fit your budget
Paint colors manually verified for real-world accuracy
Color swatches applied digitally, with no real-world verification
Clickable shopping list with exact specs and vendor links
No product specifications, just a pretty picture
Vetted contractor network to bring your design to life
You're on your own finding and vetting contractors
Plants selected for your climate zone (Premium Landscape)
No knowledge of USDA zones, soil, or regional conditions
A team that takes your project seriously, with real accountability
If AI gets it wrong, there's no one to call

What AI exterior design gets wrong

Design expertise, not pattern matching

Our designers see potential where algorithms can't. They understand how a colonial home's proportions differ from a ranch, how light hits a north-facing facade differently than a south-facing one, and which materials complement your existing brick vs. fighting it. AI pattern-matches from a database. Our team designs from experience.

Products that exist, in colors that match

AI tools render beautiful images, but with products that don't exist and colors that won't look right in person. We manually verify every paint color against real-world swatches. Every product in your shopping list is a real item you can order today, selected to work with your budget and your home's existing features.

A plan your contractor can actually build

The gap between an AI concept and a buildable renovation plan is enormous. AI might move your front door six inches to the left, resize a window that's structural, or suggest siding that doesn't come in that profile. Our designs respect what's physically possible, and include the specs a contractor needs to execute.

Color & Material Accuracy

The details AI gets wrong are the ones that cost you

Digital screens lie about color. What looks like a soft gray on your phone can read blue-green on your house. Our color specialists verify every paint selection against physical swatches and real-world light conditions, so the color you approve is the color your painter mixes.

Your stone affects how paint reads. Your roof color limits your siding options. Your existing brick constrains your trim choices. Our designers understand these relationships because they've designed thousands of exteriors. AI tools don't know your stone is warm-toned and your trim needs to complement it, not compete.

AI doesn't know that James Hardie siding costs 3x more than vinyl, or that a particular stone veneer is backordered for six months. Our designers select products that fit your stated budget and are actually available, so you don't fall in love with a design you can't afford to build.

What Our Clients Say

Homeowners who chose professional design

Common questions about AI vs. professional design

Our design specialists are here to answer your questions, talk through your renovation goals, and guide you in selecting the best package for your yard.

  • brick&batten is your trusted exterior design partner, helping homeowners and businesses reimagine their properties with clarity and confidence. Using your photos or blueprints, our team creates a custom exterior design complete with photorealistic renderings, curated colors and materials, and a detailed resource list to guide your next steps.

    From inspiration through project completion, we’re here to take the guesswork out of exterior design and help you move forward with peace of mind. Please visit our how it works page to learn more.
  • Once your order is placed and any outstanding details are finalized, our design team gets to work.

    Most Design Transformations are delivered in about 8 business days, and Paint Visualizations are delivered in about 5 business days. Your Design Project Manager will share an estimated due date after reviewing your project details. If you don’t hear from us before then, that simply means we’re busy working on your design and will reach out if we need anything.

    Need it sooner? Expedited Delivery is available at checkout for an additional fee, with full designs delivered in about 4 business days and Paint Visualizations in about 3 business days.

    Every design is custom created by real people – including Design Project Managers, Exterior Designers, Graphic Designers, Color Technicians, Landscape Experts, and other specialists. We work as efficiently as possible while giving each home the thoughtful attention it deserves, so estimated due dates may occasionally shift but will be communicated clearly.
  • Your before photo helps us create an accurate rendering.

    For best results, take a straight, level, high-resolution photo of your home or building with as much of the exterior in the frame as possible. Cell phone photos are perfect! Please upload the photo in actual size so our team has the clearest image to work from. If we need additional pictures your Design Project Manager will reach out right away.

    Prefer visuals? Here’s a brief YouTube video with tips: https://youtu.be/BZrKQ2NIqiY
  • Yes! Our commercial exterior design team has experience with a wide range of businesses and properties, including multi-residential buildings, office spaces, bridal shops, strip malls, dog grooming spas, restaurants, retail stores, banks, dental offices, assisted living facilities, event venues, and more.

    We understand that your exterior plays an important role in how customers see and experience your business. Our goal is to create curb appeal that feels professional, welcoming, and aligned with your brand. We can also incorporate building names, exterior signage, and logo concepts into your design to help your business feel polished and recognizable.

    Our commercial designs follow the same thoughtful process, quality, and pricing structure as our Design Transformation service, tailored to the needs of your business property. Learn about our exterior design services for homes and businesses here.

  • YES, if you have a blueprint, sketch, or drawing then we can create a space that’s not in your photo.

    To illustrate, we can update a structure, add a porch, outdoor covered patios, gables, dormers, change window sizes, etc. if there’s something already there. If you’re wanting to add a room above your attic, create a pool house, or something that needs architectural drawings, then we also need those to be sure your design reflects what you’re looking to accomplish.

    Please contact us for more information.

  • Absolutely! You may purchase additional sides at a lower cost the same time you are ordering your first side. Simply click the option at checkout. You will be asked to submit a clear, straight and level, photograph of every side being designed. Contact us for additional information if needed.

See the Difference

Ready for a design you can trust?

Skip the AI experiment. Get a professional exterior design with exact product specs, verified colors, and a plan your contractor can actually build from.

Before
Rendering
After

Before: The original home

Rendering: Our designer's vision

After: The completed transformation